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Who are the Premier League’s one-man teams?

Date published: Wednesday 11th November 2015 9:06

When examining the best players of this Premier League season, it’s hard to look beyond Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy. The duo have inspired Leicester to a remarkable start to the campaign, subsequently ranking as the top two players for their club according to WhoScored.com ratings, with scores of 8.17 and 7.85 respectively.

While Leicester have been able to count on more than one man to lead the way, that is not a luxury that has been afforded to every Premier League manager. WhoScored.com look at the players whose rating has the greatest difference from the second-best performer for their side. Who have been the Premier League’s one-man teams?

David Silva (Manchester City) – 8.04 rating
Something of a surprise inclusion at the top of the leaderboard, the absence of David Silva has been felt on more than one occasion for City this season despite the fact that they top the league on goal difference. Much has been made of Sergio Aguero’s unavailability, but having scored in just two of eight league appearances this season he, unlike Silva, was not at the top of his game prior to a sensational showing against Newcastle.

The Spaniard, meanwhile, registered six assists to accompany one goal in five league appearances to start the campaign, averaging 3.4 key passes, 1.8 shots and 1.6 dribbles per game. Only Riyad Mahrez has earned a higher WhoScored rating this season, with Silva’s score of 8.04 a full 0.48 clear of Nicolas Otamendi in second for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. They may have an abundance of stars to fall back on, but with City failing to score from open play in each of their last three league matches Silva’s return can’t come soon enough. The international break has come at just the right time for the league leaders.

Virgil van Dijk (Southampton) – 7.80 ratingSettling into life on the south coast having made the switch from north of the border with Celtic this summer, Virgil van Dijk has adapted to the rigours of the Premier League with impressive ease. The Dutchman has, as expected, proven to be a real asset in the air at both ends, winning at least one more aerial duel per game (5.8) than any other defender in the top-flight and scoring twice for Southampton already.

He unsurprisingly leads the way for Southampton in terms of clearances per game as a result – with 7.9 way clear of defensive partner Fonte (5.5) – but he has also excelled in terms of his anticipation. Only Victor Wanyama has made more interceptions per game for Ronald Koeman’s side (3), with Van Dijk earning the fifth highest WhoScored.com rating in the league (7.80). That’s a full 0.35 ahead of his closest Saints team-mate Cedric Soares.

Dimitri Payet (West Ham) – 7.68 rating
With a rating of 7.68 from WhoScored.com enough to rank 6th in the Premier League just behind Van Dijk, Payet has also made an instant impact in his new surroundings. The news that the Frenchman will miss three months with an ankle injury has come as a literal Hammer blow. Payet leads the way for Slaven Bilic’s side in terms of both goals (five) and assists (three) in the league. While Manuel Lanzini has also been a real hit, there is little doubt as to the creator-in-chief for West Ham.

Only Mesut Ozil has laid on more chances for team-mates than Payet in the Premier League (47), while only Dusan Tadic has delivered more accurate crosses (27). Futhermore, the former Marseille man has completed more dribbles than any team-mate – with a tally of 28 enough to rank ninth in the league . Lanzini (7.32) will to be left to pick up the pieces in his absence.

Robbie Brady (Norwich City) – 7.39 rating
Norwich’s highest-rated player by a factor of 0.43 from WhoScored.com, Robbie Brady has fitted seamlessly into Alex Neil’s side, be that that at left-back or on the wing. One of only three players to pick up the WhoScored man of the match award for his new club, the Irishman has done so three times this season. Only Mahrez (five) can better that

More renowned for his attacking threat, Brady has won 44 tackles this season, which is enough to rank fourth in the league and a tally almost twice that of any team-mate (Alexander Tettey – 23). He also leads the way for Norwich with 18 successful dribbles and ranks second only to Nathan Redmond for both key passes (23) and shots (20), despite nine of his 12 league appearances for the club coming at full-back.

Yann M’Vila (Sunderland) – 7.44 rating
The fourth and final summer signing here – proving just how many new recruits have settled into their new digs so quickly this season – Yann M’Vila has been a cut above his Sunderland counterparts this season. Many were shocked when the Frenchman, whose attitude has seemingly stunted what looked likely to be an extremely promising career, made the switch to Wearside and the midfielder has certainly stood apart from his team-mates.

M’Vila may have committed the needless foul to give away a penalty at the weekend, but he was one of very few players to come out of the game with any credit for the hosts. There is a lot to be said for a player willing to get on the ball in a team that have been so poor with it this season. The 25-year old has attempted 552 passes this season, 150 more than any other team-mate. The fact that Costel Pantilimon is his closest rival speaks volumes of the task at hand for Sam Allardyce. M’Vila has also made the most key passes (19) and interceptions (33). His rating is at least 0.46 higher than any other Sunderland player.